Chatham Town Women’s title hopes are hanging by a thread after a controversial moment late in the game against QPR.

In a game Chats really needed to win, they were leading 2-1 before the home side scored from a corner with just two minutes left. The match finished 2-2.

Chats had disputed the decision made by the referee to award QPR the late corner. Feeling it should have been a goal kick, Chatham’s frustration led to unorganisation at the back as they conceded from the set-piece.

It was a decision made by the same official who ran the line for their game against Norwich City two weeks earlier, which was also controversial after a key offside decision was made that Chats felt was clearly onside.

“That moment was massive,” said Chats boss Keith Boanas, reliving the corner decision.

“Our players screened the ball out for a goal-kick with just minutes to play and the referee has given a corner, which they’ve scored from.

“We didn’t deal with it mentally correctly. Our players were still fuming, obviously not concentrating, the ball’s been smacked in, it’s bobbled about 10 times and then got forced over the line.

“We had made substitutions to seal the game up, you think you’re doing your job and then that happens. I was just gutted for the players.”

Chats had taken the lead on Sunday through Amelia Woodgate but just a minute later Rangers levelled following a free-kick that was played into the box, scoring after a goalmouth scramble.

Chatham played well in the second half and restored their lead with a fine effort from Ciara Hynes but three points eluded them following the late drama.

Boanas said: “We had a poor first half on a very sticky pitch that had been played on the day before. When we’re used to playing on a 3G and you come up against a pitch like that it’s always difficult and it took a half to get settled. Second half we played really well.

“We had gone in front, conceded a silly free-kick, but at half-time I thought we addressed everything we hadn’t done well, came out and played really well, dominated and got a well deserved lead through Kiera Hynes, a long distance strike into the top corner and should have gone on to win it.”

Chatham had been held to a goalless draw by Dulwich Hamlet in their previous Division 1 South East league game and lost 2-1 at Norwich before that, leaving them third in the table and relying on those other teams dropping points.

Real Bedford, in second, have games in hand over both Chatham and current leaders Norwich and host QPR this Sunday.

Chats, with five league games remaining, return to action the following week when they host Norwich City in a huge must-win game at the Bauvill Stadium.